Creating and Managing a Georgia HOA

The state of Georgia is home to 11,200 community associations where 2.3 million residents live within 874,000 homes among communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods.

That is 310 more associations than two years previous. Georgia is drawing more residents as Americans are searching for a lower cost of living, lower taxes, and a friendly, temperate Southern lifestyle.

Image above courtesy of Caionline.org

Yes, nearby South Carolina, Tennessee, and North Carolina are also enjoying significant growth in residents and homeowners associations. HOAs are the modern way to create livable, fulfilling communities to live in Georgia and anywhere they're building new communities.

Georgia's Warm Climate, People and Culture

Newcomers are drawn to some right-sized cities with a lower than average cost of living such as Atlanta, Augusta-Richmond, Columbus, Macon, Savannah, Athens, Sandy Springs and Roswell. A population around 150,000 is considered ideal for many homebuyers.

Known for its peaches, pecans, peanuts and watermelon, Georgia's rich agriculture provides a strong foundation for economic growth in the years ahead.

Thriving cities and charming towns, beautiful countryside connecting mountain vistas with white-sand beaches, plus a temperate climate offering all four seasons make Georgia one of the very best places to live in the South.--  from Living in Georgia. 

It's All About Community Associations Now

Across the US, it's rare to be able to buy a home that isn't within an HOA. Roughly 84% of newly built, single-family homes sold in 2022 belonged to homeowners associations. According to RealEstateNews, that's up from 61% in 2018.

Deborah Goonan, administrator of the blog Independent American Communities in a CNBC report said “Certain local governments require almost all new construction to have an HOA.”

Just because it's needed or mandatory, doesn't mean it will be created and managed well. It's up to community members like yourself who want to get involved to use the right tools, and create the ideal community lifestyle.

And maintenance will be part of daily business.

After creating your Georgia HOA, a new housing development will offer more to new home buyers than an empty house, utility lines, paved roads and maybe sidewalks.  Your new HOA will bring your community to life and encourage participation. 

HOAs in Georgia offer a great deal of value and help to homeowners and their families. In some states that see more poverty and crime, HOAs provide a level of security and safety, and improved neighborhood services including common amenities and parking and trash removal services.

In Georgia, the need for these services is higher than most given average income is lower than the national average.  Property crime here is 17% above the national average. However, the violent crime is 12% lower than the national average according to City of Monroe GA.

Georgia HOA Laws

The state of Georgia governs HOAs through several acts including the Georgia Condominiums Act, Georgia NonProfit Corporations Act, and the Georgia Business Corporations Act. Together they create guidelines and rules about how community associations can be operated. 

The Secretary of State regulates charitable organizations operating within the state. All charitable organizations are required to register with the Secretary of State

Why Create an HOA in Georgia?

Developers may decide not to create a homeowners association while a new development is still in progress. After all construction is completed, promised amenities built, and all transactions are completed, they may decide to create an HOA, or help residents to build and self-manage their own HOA.

You may be required to organize, plan and create the HOA and then draw up a team of volunteers to run it. Additionally, you may need to hire an association management company that utilizes modern HOA management software to streamline operations. Efficiency is the top priority today in association management.

Part of your challenge is to determine the right approach for your community or development and what will be affordable and sustainable.

Modern Management Outcomes to Focus on:

• better management of the community assets and services, many of which are not provided by local governments
• improved security and safety
• discourages bad behavior of some residents and lowers property crime
• protects the value of homes in the neighborhood
• adds lifestyle value in building enjoyable amenities and managing them
• manages the funding created and foresees risk and future costs

Creating Your Georgia HOA

• Start with this process described below to get you oriented to the overall project. You may need the assistance of a Georgia association management services firm (e.g., property management company) and a lawyer to understand and deal with the details of creating your homeowners association.  You're creating a legal business entity with revenues, expenses, operations risks and tax liabilities.

Try this general process:

Understand Laws and Procedures: Georgia has its own specific regulations for property owners associations under the Georgia Condominiums Act, Georgia NonProfit Corporations Act, and the Georgia Business Corporations Act.  Additionally, the Georgia Property Owners’ Association Act offers additional rights however associations must opt into that act.
Ascertain your Assets: what common elements and amenities will be included in your community?
Collaborate with Homeowners:  Discuss the value, requirements and process with homeowners to understand what services they would like and what level of dues they will be comfortable with.  
Be Clear on the Level of Insurance You Need:  You're required to carry liability insurance which is rising fast, and you must acquire policy and coverage quotes to get the right solution.
Decide on the Type of Management:  Will your HOA be self-managed or managed by association management company? You'll need to know who is available, or what you'll need to self-manage your association.
Create Your Governing Documents:   An HOA lawyer will help you craft your Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), bylaws, set fees and allowable fines for bylaw violations, set your clear purpose for the association, and file the necessary paperwork with the Illinois Secretary of State. These will help you to protect your HOA and board members from frivolous lawsuits.
Elect your HOA Board:  You'll need to ask for community members to run as directors for the HOA board who together make decisions on board rules, activities, spending, and bylaw decisions.

There will be financial, human, and technology challenges to deal with. 

To learn more about HOA requirements, see the post on Illinois HOAs and how to launch an HOA on the Tennessee HOA post.

Viewing a Full HOA Management Platform Helps you Appreciate What You're About to Create

It's advisable to try out an HOA management platform so you can see how you'll be managing your association via computer. 

The software is essential today, given the applicable laws for handling funds and personal data, and being efficient. 

The members of your community will expect to access info and documents, see meeting minutes and resolutions, be notified of charges and payment dates, and pay dues or fines online. Few people have the luxury of handling their community association business in person. 

Software such as ManageCasa™ works with bank accounts, online payment gateways, email, sms, and a community website or portal. Users will have their own personal account to store documents and access forms.

With one single management dashboard, it's easy to get work done and keep on top of maintenance projects, resident issues and communications, as well as ensuring bills are paid.

Save Time and Avoid Confusion: Speak with Our Sales Team

We invite you to contact our sales team who can help you understand the ManageCasa Association management platform with all its many powerful and reliable features.  It's a modern SaaS-based software that you subscribe to. This saves you from any kind of IT management hassles.

Our talented onboarding and support team will take good care of you and your HOA team.

Switching to ManageCasa is easy too!